Barry Donnelly Partner

Barry has more than 30 years' experience in international disputes and investigations, involving banking, finance, financial services, fund and asset management, trusts, insolvency, fraud and financial crime.
He has been approved as a Skilled Person by the Financial Conduct Authority and has conducted numerous business critical regulatory reviews in both the UK and overseas.

Barry has particular expertise in large scale financial litigation and arbitration, and regulatory investigations and proceedings.

He represents clients in connection with investigations and proceedings involving both UK and overseas regulatory bodies and government agencies, including the London Stock Exchange, the Panel on Takeovers and Mergers, the Financial Conduct Authority, the Serious Fraud Office, the Department of Justice, the SEC and the CFTC. He frequently advises and conducts internal investigations for financial institutions and other regulated investment businesses; examples include matters involving failings in systems and controls, conflicts of interest, internal fraud, the alleged manipulation of LIBOR, precious metals, FX and commodities trading, market abuse, insider dealing, misleading statements, money laundering, bribery and corruption, and failure to prevent economic crime.

Barry's representation of clients has included complex, often cross-border, disputes and investigations involving the co-ordination of proceedings or the obtaining of evidence abroad, as well as information requests from international courts, regulators and government agencies, such as under the Hague Evidence Convention or the Crime (International Co-operation) Act 2003. Overseas jurisdictions have included the Cayman Islands, the BVI, the Bahamas, Bermuda, Luxembourg, Liechtenstein, France, Italy, the Isle of Man, Jersey, Guernsey, Brazil, Switzerland, Hong Kong, Singapore, China, Malaysia, Mauritius, Indonesia, Greece, Ireland, the United States, the Netherlands, Sweden, Denmark, Iceland and Russia.

Expertise

Recent work

Standard Bank

Socimer International Bank v. Standard Bank: representing Standard Bank throughout its successful defence of a claim relating to the discretionary valuation on close-out of emerging markets bonds under forward sales transactions, involving two trials and proceedings in the Court of Appeal.

Firth Rixson Group

Lehman Brothers International (Europe) / Lomas & Others v. JB Firth Rixson & Others: successful representation of the Firth Rixson Group in this landmark interest rate swaps litigation both at trial and in the Court of Appeal.

WestLB

WestLB v. Nomura Bank International: representing WestLB in a dispute involving the valuation of illiquid securities underlying a Certificate of Deposit issued as part of a credit linked structure, both at trial and in the Court of Appeal.

Roskilde Bank of Denmark

Taberna Europe CDO II plc v Roskilde Bank (Selskabet): representing Roskilde Bank of Denmark in its successful defence of this landmark mis-selling (subordinated debt) claim, both at trial and in the Court of Appeal.

What people are saying

"Barry is 'extremely intelligent, diligent and perceptive of how to advance his clients’ cases'."

The UK Legal 500 2017

"Excellent litigator 'Barry Donnelly of Macfarlanes LLP is recognised for his ability to handle major complex financial litigation, especially matters with significant international elements. Sources say: 'He has a wealth of cross-border experience involving both the USA and the UK, has really good judgement and really good client handling skills. He is also highly adept at explaining technical legal issues to clients, since he's a master of his subject area."

Chambers UK 2017

"Barry Donnelly is 'a very intelligent, careful litigator'."

The UK Legal 500 2016

"Barry Donnelly is praised as a 'very experienced litigator with an excellent client base,' known for doing 'high-value, high-quality banking work.' He receives additional praise for his handling of complex cross-border matters."